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Memory and Meaning: The Story of Sharone Lifschitz and Her Father Oded
A British-Israeli woman has shared her deeply emotional experience surrounding the return of her father’s body, which provides a poignant glimpse into the human cost of ongoing conflicts. Sharone Lifschitz reflected on the significance of being able to bury her father, Oded Lifshitz, who died while in captivity after being taken hostage by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023.
“Bringing back my dad and being able to bury him was one of the most profound things,” Sharone said, underscoring the emotional weight of the moment for her and her family. Oded Lifshitz, aged 83, was held hostage alongside his wife, Yocheved, who was released in late October 2023 after being held captive for some time.
Following a harrowing wait of 503 days, the Israeli government announced last month that Oded had been killed in captivity, reportedly over a year prior. The Prime Minister’s Office indicated that he was murdered by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization, a statement that left his family grappling with mixed feelings of grief and relief. “It’s not the outcome we were hoping for,” Sharone noted, expressing her worry over her father’s wellbeing during his captivity. “But it’s a relief to know that he is not suffering…”
Sharone’s reflections came during a memorial event held at the JW3 Community Centre in London, attended by hundreds, including officials, religious leaders, and other families affected by the same tragic events. The gathering served as both a tribute to Oded’s life and a call for the release of remaining hostages, emphasizing the need for closure for other families still waiting for news.
The recent release of 25 living Israeli hostages and eight deceased individuals by Hamas, coupled with the larger geopolitical ramifications, highlights the complexities of this ongoing conflict. As part of an agreement, Israel also released approximately 1,900 prisoners from Gaza, marking a temporary truce that ended on March 1. However, efforts to extend this ceasefire and secure more hostage releases have thus far failed.
“Receiving my father’s remains back, and being able to say goodbye has really been incredibly meaningful to me,” Sharone stated, advocating for the importance of family reunification in the face of grief and loss. She candidly addressed the pain of having been unable to be there for her father during his final moments but emphasized the importance of returning all hostages to provide families with a sense of closure.
Sharone also highlighted the humanity that her father maintained, saying that despite the brutality of his capture, “he didn’t give up on his humanity.” Her mother Yocheved described Oded as a tireless champion of peace, noting his efforts to foster good relations with Palestinians throughout his life. “He had very good relations with Palestinians and the thing that hurt the most is that they betrayed him,” she said in an earlier interview.
As Sharone continues to advocate for peace and the return of all hostages, she invoked a vision of hope amidst the trauma. “I can’t give up on peace in my own life. Therefore I cannot give up on peace on any other scale,” she said at the memorial. “Peace is where we want to be. Is the road long? Is the road hazardous? Yes. What’s the alternative? More hate?”
The Lifschitz family’s journey underscores not only the personal tragedies borne from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but also highlights the urgent call for empathy and action in the search for peace and justice in a region fraught with historical tensions.
Source
www.bbc.com